Page 112 of A Little Crush
“Griff—”
“It’s a simple question, big brother.” He shrugs. “Although, now that I think about it, maybe the real question is, why are you avoiding it?”
“Avoiding what?”
“The question,” he clarifies.
My eye twitches. “I’m not avoiding anything?—”
“So you don’t have a thing for Rory?”
Yeah, this asshole’s been around Finley way too long. I want to tell him I have a dick, so of course I have a thing for Rory, but the truth is, my attraction to her runs so much deeper than superficial bullshit. Should it, though? Should my attraction for Rory Buchanan run deeper than superficial bullshit? I don’t know. I like her. I care about her. I want her to be happy and appreciated. And I keep finding myself searching the stands just to see if she’s here with Pops and checking my phone just to see if she’s sent me another text or video. But do I have a thing for her? A real,lastingthing? Outside of what it feels like to be inside her?
Shit.
I think I do.
Slipping off his helmet, Griffin tucks it under his arm and points out, “Yeah, your silence isn’t telling at all.”
“She’s my nanny,” I remind him.
“Who you were seen with when the kid she’s supposed to be nannying was at her mom’s house.”
The asshole makes a good point.
“She wanted me to show her a few things,” I argue.
“Like…sexual things? Or?—”
“Don’t be an ass,” I warn.
He raises his free hand in defense. “All right, I’ll drop it.”
“Will you?” I challenge before motioning to the scoreboard. “Because you’re kind of ruining the high from tonight’s win.”
“Sorry.” He drops his hand. “But do you wanna know what else would ruin the high from tonight’s win? Crowther stealing her from you once he’s back.”
My stomach plummets at the idea of Crowther coming anywhere near Rory, but I keep a blank face no matter how much it kills me. “There’s nothing to steal.” The lie tastes like ass, but I don’t know what else to say. Not yet. Not without Rory’s permission. Not without Iris finding out and pitching a fit. Not without our families making assumptions and putting even more pressure on whatever’s happening between Rory and me than there already is. Besides, it’s still new. Way too fucking new to go around announcing our private business to our families all because they’re too nosy for their own good.
Isn’t it?
“Sure, there’s nothing to steal,” Griffin retorts. “Just like how there was nothing to steal from Drew when I made a move on Fin.”
Drew.
Fuck, I haven’t heard that name in years. Drew was Finley’s long-distance boyfriend before Griffin drove her across the country to tell him something face-to-face. By the time they made it back to Lockwood Heights, Griffin was all in and somehow managed to stealandmend Finley’s broken heart in the process.
“What are you trying to say, Griff?” I demand.
“I’m saying you can either shit or get off the pot becauseRory deserves better than being strung along when a good guy like Dodge or Crowther would happily take a chance on her.”
He thinks I don’t know this? That Rory isn’t as close to perfect as a woman can be? He doesn’t get it, though. Doesn’t understand that I have a daughter to think about. And a career. And Rory herself. Besides, it’s only been a little while. Everyone needs to keep their opinions and assumptions to themselves, including whether or not Crowther’s a better fit for Rory than I am.
Asshole.
“Some brother you are,” I mutter.
“Just sayin’.”
